Two and one-half miles southeast from Lookout dwells the subject of this sketch on a farm which he took from the wilderness of the reservation in 1896 and which he has made one of the valuable and fertile places in this section. It is improved with good residence, substantial barn and out buildings and orchard, and all implements necessary for its successful cultivation and to make it return handsome dividends annually.
John Hadford was born in the central part of Sweden on April 17, 1867, being the son of Lars and Catherine Hadford, natives of the same place. The father still lives there, having been born in 1832. But the mother, who was born in 1839, has passed to the world beyond.
Our subject grew up on a farm and attended “the common schools. In 1887 he came to New York, via Lubeck, Hamburg and Bremen. He was soon in McPherson County, Kansas, and there worked on a farm with his brother dust. In 1890 {hey came to Spokane and took up railroading on the Great Northern. He was in the states of Washington and Idaho until 1896, when he came to the reservation and took the land as stated above. With his brothers, Louis and Gust, he had farmed near Spokane but when the panic came he went to the wall with the rest.
When Mr. Hadford came to the reservation on account of this panic he had but little financial wealth but was possessed of great courage and determination, which have given him, with his thrift and industry, a fine holding and he is numbered with the prosperous men of his County.
On May 30, 1896, Mr. Hadford married Miss Bertie C, daughter of Hans and Catherine Hedin, natives of Sweden. In 1881 they came to Kansas from the old country and in 1886 journeyed on to Spokane County, Washington. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hadford, Melvin and Arnold, deceased; Archibald and Ethel E. Mr. Hadford’s brothers are residents of the reservation and with him they operate a threshing machine, being skillful and energetic men in this line.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903